Rising values may leave some longtime owners with taxable gains, making early conversations about timing, records and next steps more important.

Mortgage rates fell this week, but future movement may depend less on the Federal Reserve’s latest decision and more on how clearly the central bank signals its next steps. Inflation, steady employment and possible changes in Fed communication could make rate expectations harder for borrowers to read.

Three in four Americans planning to buy a home within five years say they would overlook red flags in a property – a finding that underscores the role Realtors play in guiding customers through high-stakes decisions.

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell to 6.47% this week, while the 15-year fixed rate dropped to 5.81% – tracking Treasury yields that have retreated since a deal to end the war with Iran was announced.

Florida’s condo-townhome market posted stronger year-over-year sales activity in May, with closed sales up 6.6% and new pending sales up 9%, according to Florida Realtors data. Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor said the pending-sales gain means the category’s nine-month streak of higher closed sales is likely to continue into June.

The Florida Realtors Education Foundation Inc. awarded $1,000 scholarships to Florida students pursuing higher education in the 2026-2027 school year. Since the program began, it has awarded more than $3.2 million to help 2,426 students.